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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Loss Of Balance?

I have been falling down about 8 or so times within a period of about 1 1/2 yrs. I also veer to the side when walking straight, left more than right, sometimes fall backwards. I am going to chiropractor for 8-9 mths. lately, bending down to like at an item on bottom shelf in store and when I squat down to floor, I can only get up about 1 foot and I don t have stremgth to push up further, and I fall back, onto my back. Today, this happened in Home Depot, DIY store! Please advice on possibilities of what this could be causing this to happen. I am 61 and always been in good health, a multi tasker etc. Thankyou, Linda
posted on Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Twitter Sun, 7 Jul 2019 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 8 Jul 2019 Last reviewed on
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Cardiologist,  's  Response
Hello,

It is important to perform a careful differential diagnosis between different possible disorders that could lead to falling:

- a neurodegenerative disorder
- orthostatic hypotension
- chronic degeneration of the cervical vertebral column
- an inner ear disorder
- a cardiac arrhythmia.

For this reason, I would recommend first consulting with a neurologist for a physical exam.

Some tests to consider would be:

- a resting ECG and a cardiac ultrasound
- a cervical spine X-ray study
- thyroid hormone levels for thyroid gland dysfunction.

A Brain MRI and an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring may be needed. If all these tests result normal, I would recommend consulting with an ENT specialist and performing labyrinthine tests.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist
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What Causes Loss Of Balance?

Hello, It is important to perform a careful differential diagnosis between different possible disorders that could lead to falling: - a neurodegenerative disorder - orthostatic hypotension - chronic degeneration of the cervical vertebral column - an inner ear disorder - a cardiac arrhythmia. For this reason, I would recommend first consulting with a neurologist for a physical exam. Some tests to consider would be: - a resting ECG and a cardiac ultrasound - a cervical spine X-ray study - thyroid hormone levels for thyroid gland dysfunction. A Brain MRI and an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring may be needed. If all these tests result normal, I would recommend consulting with an ENT specialist and performing labyrinthine tests. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care Regards, Dr Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist